“I can’t go any further,” the legislator for the predominantly Republican state of West Virginia, who in recent weeks has become the main obstacle to the advancement of this program of social and ecological reforms, told Fox Network.
“I can’t vote on that,” he added, citing in particular the rise in prices and the extent of US debt.
“I just can’t. I tried everything humanly possible, but I can’t,” added the conservative senator, who has made a fortune on fossil fuels. “Is not”.
West Virginia is the second largest coal-producing state after Wyoming, according to government data, and generates 90% of its electricity from fuel.
Called “Build Back Better” (“Rebuild Better”), Biden’s $ 1.75 trillion plan envisions channeling funds to address child care and lower prescription drug costs, as well as provide household tax credits and substantial investments to reduce costs. Emissions of greenhouse gases.
After a first vote in the House of Representatives, in November, where the Democrats overcame internal disputes among the centrists, concerned about the effect of the plan on the debt; and the left, who wanted more spending, the Senate vote was postponed in recent days.
Since the Senate is divided (50 legislators from each party), any of the Democrats actually have something of a veto power on any bill if Republicans close ranks.
Biden admitted Thursday that the bill probably won’t be able to pass as quickly as he hoped after recent tough talks with Manchin, dashing hopes of a final vote before the end of the year.
However, he maintained a note of optimism: “I believe that we will bridge our differences and advance the plan, even in the face of fierce Republican opposition.”.
“My Democratic colleagues in Washington are determined to dramatically reshape our society in a way that will leave our country even more vulnerable to the threats we face,” Manchin said in a statement.
“I can’t take that risk with a staggering $ 29 trillion debt and inflationary taxes that are real and harmful to every American worker.”
Year-on-year inflation reached 6.8% in November, the highest the United States has recorded since June 1982, and according to the Congressional Budget Office, Biden’s plan will increase the deficit by $ 367 billion in ten years.
But the White House believes that the estimate does not take into account potential tax-related savings. Indeed, the president said that the plan “will reduce the deficit by more than 100,000 million in ten years” and that “it will reduce costs, create jobs and rebuild the economy.”
Asked by CNN about Manchin’s statements, the senator Bernie Sanders, A figure on the left wing of the Democratic Party, he accused his West Virginia colleague of lacking “guts.” He also asked anyway for a vote in the Senate “as soon as possible.”
“I hope we bring a strong bill to the Senate as soon as we can and let Manchin explain to the people of West Virginia why he doesn’t have the guts to take on powerful drug company interests to lower drug prices, for what is not ready to extend social coverage, “he said.
The progressive wing of the Democratic Party is upset by the attention the White House has lavished on the moderate Manchin in convincing him to back the bill.
Source From: Ambito
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